Science Gone Wild: The History of Bizarre Experiments
Explore the history of bizarre experiments with Science Gone Wild. From staged gunfights to fringe theories, discover the weird side of scientific discovery.
Best quote from Science Gone Wild: The History of Bizarre Experiments
Science isn't just about finding answers; it’s about having the guts to ask the questions that make everyone else uncomfortable. We must maintain a 'permanently ajar' mind, because today’s 'weird' might be tomorrow’s 'accepted truth.'
This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member
Psychedelic apes by Alex Boese, electrified sheep, elephants on acid books.
Frequently Asked Questions
Science Gone Wild: The History of Bizarre Experiments explores the unconventional and often unsettling history of science. The podcast discusses how the path to scientific discovery is frequently paved with weird experiments, such as staged gunfights in lecture halls to test the psychology of stress. By looking at the work of authors like Alex Boese, the show examines the blurry line between orderly research and 'mad scientist' moments that have shaped human knowledge.
Alex Boese is an author known for documenting the strange side of the history of science in books like Psychedelic Apes and Elephants on Acid. His work highlights that scientific progress isn't always a logical, by-the-book process. Instead, it often involves hilarious or unsettling experiments that challenge our understanding of the world. The podcast uses his research to illustrate how fringe theories and bizarre tests eventually contribute to what we now consider common sense.
The history of science includes fringe theories because many ideas that are accepted as common sense today were once ridiculed by the mainstream. Experiments that seem bizarre, such as testing if a dog would save its owner from a fire or investigating why humans cannot tickle themselves, are essential for pushing the boundaries of knowledge. These unconventional methods help researchers understand complex topics like the psychology of stress and the evolution of the human brain.
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
